The Bereavement Response: A Cluster Analysis

Abstract

In a non-clinical community sample of bereaved people, delayed or absent grief is infrequently seen, unlike chronic grief, which is demonstrated in a minority.

On the classification and diagnosis of pathological grief

“…There is overlap, it would seem, between Prigerson, Bierhals, et al's (1996) formulation and the chronic grief syndrome, described in classic contributions (e.g., Bowlby, 1980;Lindemann, 1944;Parkes & Weiss, 1983) and also identified in the community study by Middleton et al (1996), referred to above. The work of Prigerson and her colleagues has advanced the field by providing better empirical foundation than was the case for the earlier formulations.…”

“…Just as there are many different taxonomies and labels, so is there a lack of consensus with respect to the definition of, and/or diagnostic criteria for pathological grief (cf. Jacobs & Kim, 1990;Middleton, Burnett, Raphael, & Martinek, 1996). To illustrate, according to Middleton et al (1993), pathological bereavement hallmarks are the ".…”

“…Despite their wide acceptance in the scientific and clinical literatures, there is poor empirical foundation to support the subtypologies of pathological grief (chronic, inhibited, delayed, etc.). Using cluster analysis, Middleton et al (1996) recently found no cases of absent or delayed grief (these would seem difficult to ascertain), and chronic grief as a distinct syndrome among a minority (9%) of bereaved persons in a community-based study. It is also noteworthy that few specific empirical studies have been conducted among those diagnosed with problems following bereavement, evidence for subtypologies having been derived from community samples (e.g., Parkes & Weiss, 1983).…”

“…These methods include cluster and factor analysis, latent class model analyses and signal detection procedures (cf. Horowitz et al, 1997;Middleton et al, 1996;. 2 Duration.…”

“…Middleton et al, 1996). Thus, for example, there is fair consensus about grief that has gone on "too long.…”